There are some amazing acoustic guitar shops in the US, but one has two figures that are largely responsible for what we know about the history of guitars, and how we fix them…
Back in 1969, Frank Ford and Richard Johnston started Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, CA. Those names might sound familiar and if they don’t then take this as your introduction to two of the most amazing guitar geeks out there. Frank Ford runs the repair shop at Gryphon and he is a repair wizard of sorts, and Richard not only runs the retail shop, he also writes for industry magazines and guests on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow as their instrument specialist.
The shop that these two founded and still are a part of is incomparable. They feature new instruments from some of today’s top makers as well as a very wonderful assortment of vintage instruments. The selection of instruments that they offer is vast, but it is more than just a shop.
Want lessons? Gryphon does it.
Concerts? Gryphon does it.
Workshops? Yep, Gryphon does it.
Appraisals? Yes indeed, Gryphon does it.
Super informative and beneficial news? …Sure thing, Gryphon does that too!
In fact, the news section of their website is one that should be checked out by every guitar geek. Particularly the article on how heat in a car can damage your acoustic guitar… beware if you look at that article there are some very graphic images.
All in all, Gryphon Stringed Instruments is a shop for guitar geeks by guitar geeks, and by the looks of what they are up to they do an amazing job of uniting guitar geeks as well.
Gryphon Stringed Instruments Links
